Double Tanker Crashes on Highway 191, spills hot oil

Big Sky Fire Department manages a hazardous materials incident involving a double tanker. Road conditions did not appear to be a factor in the crash, which took place late this morning. PHOTO BY AMANDA EGGERT

By Amanda EggertEBS Staff Writer

BIG SKY – A double tanker truck hauling approximately 31 tons of hot oil – a petroleum product used in road construction – went off Highway 191 late this morning into the ditch near mile marker 37.

The southbound tanker veered into the west ditch before coming to rest on its passenger side. The tanker was the only vehicle involved in the accident. Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Marcus Cook said road conditions did not appear to be a factor.

Cook said the driver was uninjured and would be cited for careless driving.

The amount of liquid asphalt that spilled into the ditch is unknown according to Cook. “It appeared the pup [trailer] was leaking but I can’t confirm if the other [tank] was or not.”

The Gallatin River is on the east side of 191 and Cook said he didn’t see any culverts by which the oil could directly reach the river. “It looks like it’s staying contained in the west ditch.”

The Big Sky Fire Department is managing the incident as a hazardous materials scene. As of 1:30 p.m., Highway 191 was open to both directions of traffic and the tanker was still on its side in the ditch.

A double tanker hauling liquid asphalt with the same trucking company – Johnny B Transport out of Idaho Falls, Idaho – went off Highway 191 two miles north of today’s incident on Dec. 11, 2014.

On May 4, 2015, a truck carrying more than 70,000 pounds of fertilizer spilled the contents of its second trailer on the bridge over the Taylor Fork near mile marker 40.